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The Government’s move to hike the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15% to 18% and to impose the 18% VAT on a host of items that had previously been exempted from the tax has generated anger among Opposition MPs and most of the people.

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), being the dominant government party, voted in support of the VAT (Amendment) Bill to ensure its passage through Parliament. However, there were clearly reservations among some MPs regarding the Bill, no doubt mindful about possible repercussions given that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced 2024 as an election year.

SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, though, has no doubt as to who is to blame for the VAT hike. He described it as the “Aragalaya VAT” saying the VAT hike was the “biggest achievement of the Aragalaya.”

Mr. Kariyawasam said the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government reduced taxes
considerably.

“Our aim was to reduce taxes, revitalise production and bring relief to the people. Unfortunately, a vocal section of the people chose to come out to the streets, scare off tourists and investors and force a democratically elected President from power. In essence, they were saying they opposed our economic policies,” he said.

Mr Kariyawasam said that as a result of the ‘Aragalaya,’ no head of state or government would be quick to reduce taxes from now on.

“If anything, their overwhelming instinct would be to increase taxes.”

As for the SLPP General Secretary, he said his path forward is clear.

“I personally will not vote for any measure that reduces taxes anymore given where the Aragalaya has brought us. I would rather raise my hand to raise taxes since it was by raising our hands to reduce taxes that we found ourselves in this mess.”

Suspended MPs quickly vote on Budget and go home, without starting another fight

The Third Reading of Budget 2024 was passed in Parliament on Wednesday by a majority of 41 votes.

When the vote was called at 6.40 p.m., Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said State Minister Diana Gamage along with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarians Sujith Sanjaya Perera and Rohana Bandara, would be allowed to come into the Chamber to cast their votes. The three had been suspended from attending Parliament for one month on the recommendation of Parliament’s Committee on Ethics and Privileges. This was over the now infamous brawl that took place in Parliament’s Lobby on October 20. Though suspended, it was noted the MPs would be able to come to Parliament on the final day of the Budget debate to cast their votes.  

On instructions from the Speaker, the three MPs were escorted into the Chamber by Parliament’s Sergeant-at-Arms and his officials as the bell sounded for the MPs to convene for the vote. The two SJB MPs entered from one door in front of the Chamber while Ms Gamage entered from the other. SJB MPs in the Chamber cheered as Mr Perera and Mr Bandara entered and took their seats while the government MPs gave equally loud cheers at Ms Gamage’s entrance. The fact that all three MPs had been punished for a serious breach of discipline was obviously lost on a lot of them.

After the vote was taken, all three suspended MPs were escorted out the way they came. Some MPs from both the Government and Opposition side were heard shouting lightheartedly to their three colleagues to quickly go home lest they linger too long and start another fight.

Memorial Library building to be opened today, but name changed without approval

In Kandy, a new building was constructed on the same location where a fire gutted the D.S. Senanayake Memorial Library. It is scheduled to be opened today by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This building, according to records, has been built at a cost of around Rs. 600 million and has a seating accommodation of 750, along with other facilities.

But, the new building has been named “Karaliya ” instead of D.S. Senanayake Memorial Library.

Interestingly the original building was constructed with public funds by none other than former Mayor and Speaker E .L. Senanayake and Sir Bennet Soyza after calling for public funds to build this imposing library building in Kandyan architecture. Also, the Council had not approved a proposal to change the original name.

However, no mention of D.S. Senanayake as the first Prime Minister or the Father of the Nation stands in this building except that it is now named as “Karaliya.”

This building was constructed ten years after the fire which claimed the life of a child. At that time fire fighters failed to douse the fire, as they could not find a water hydrant, even though a fire unit was located next to the Library.

After this fire, it took ten years to construct this building, and the former Mayor at that time was seeking foreign funds to rebuild the D.S. Senanayake Memorial Auditorium. The hall had been hired for a musical show when the fire broke out.

A committee sat to find the cause of the fire and also to hold accountable those that allowed a musical show to go ahead at the venue in contravention of Council by laws.

A report was also submitted to the relevant authorities with an order for those responsible to pay compensation to the Kandy Municipal Council. Several city fathers questioned the issue but it was found that the file regarding the order had gone missing and the Council had lost money due to the callousness of the Public Officers who allowed the renting of the building without proper approval.

Now the question remains on whose decision the name of D.S. Senanayake Memorial Library has been changed to “Karaliya.”

Envoy Kananathan hops from country to country to get more trade links for Sri Lanka

In Africa, Sri Lanka’s point man, Kenya High Commissioner Kana Kananathan seems to be hopping from one country in the continent to another, and meeting its leaders.

Last week, it was Guinea-Bissau’s head of state and this week he met with Burkina Faso’s Transitional President Ibrahim Tarore. Envoy Kananathan is on a mission to muster support from African nations for Sri Lanka at international fora and also assist Sri Lankan entrepreneurs interested in taking up business opportunities in Africa. Burkina Faso has the second largest gold deposits and is rich in mining.

Mr. Kananathan also has a rare record to his credit. He has served in Election Monitoring teams that had observed elections in four African countries so far, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.

Next week, he will add The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the list being invited by its Independent National Electoral Commission to observe the elections in that country on December 20.

SLPP convention: Leader’s pictures shelter supporters from the rain

The splendour of political rallies and conventions last only during the period the Very Important Persons come on stage when the gathered supporters scream, whistle and cheer for their leaders.

Once the event is over, the posters, pictures and leaflets handed over to the participants are dumped at the places where the events are held.

The floor is littered with photographs of these VIPs and many are trampled by the departing faithfuls. Friday’s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) convention too witnessed such sights, but on this occasion they were used as makeshift umbrellas to shield them from the inclement weather beating down on the poor souls.

One witty supporter holding a banner with Mahinda Rajapaksa’s image printed on it, wise-cracked saying “our leader even provided us shelter from the rain.”

The people were also looking around for their buses in a hurry while being soaked by the rain. They left the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in north Colombo drenched nevertheless.

Namal struck down by “no sleep virus”

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs were extremely busy this week preparing for the party’s annual convention at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Friday. In light of ridicule from social media users and attacks by Opposition parties, they were determined to make the convention a roaring success to send a message to their political opponents.

One of those who worked steadfastly to ensure the convention’s success was SLPP Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa. He was constantly on the move and got little rest or sleep in the days leading up to the convention. These efforts eventually took a toll on his health, as he was ill. He continued his coordinating activities for the convention despite being laid low by illness.

Mr Rajapaksa’s good friend and Parliamentary colleague Johnston Fernando did not miss the chance to make a playful jab at the younger Rajapaksa. He joked that Namal Rajapaksa had been struck down by a “no sleep virus.”

Illegal flags hoisted at roundabout questioned

A YouTuber had called the Minuwangoda Divisional Secretary to ask about the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) flags hoisted around the roundabout in the town. The YouTuber had requested if he could also hoist flags in a similar manner.

 The Divisional Secretary had responded that his request could not be met as it was illegal to hoist flags around the roundabout. Thereafter, the caller had asked how she allowed the SLPP to hoist flags and demanded the reason to be explained.

Then the Divisional Secretary had taken the contact number of the YouTuber and promised to get back to him after finding out how flags were hoisted around the roundabout.

However, the caller never got
an explanation.